BEST WAY TO COMPACT SOIL FOR BERM

[Mmathis]

We got our underpayment & liner yesterday and will be spending the Memorial w/end getting the pond set up. Still have some work to do on the berms, however, and wondered if renting compacting equipment is worth the effort. We have 2 10" tampers and 3 strong bodies. Just HOW much do you need to compact the soil? And would we get adequate results using people-power vs powered equipment?

 

[addy1]

lol I just foot stomped on my berm, no issues ever with it.

 

[sissy]

I just screwed a a piece of board to the bottom of a 4x4 ,oh well it is all i had on hand and a sledge hammer .

 

[koiguy1969]

the more its packed, the less it will settle.... i packed my mound as it was built. chopped up big chunks of dirt and clay, tamped and moistened the mound as i went (piled it). mine had to be solid, as my waterfall filter was going in it... didnt want to have to ever relevel my filter!

 

[taherrmann4]

Walk on it, fill your wheel barrow up with dirt or rock and roll it over it.

 

[j.w]

Stomp, stomp, stomp do a little dance w/ your honey and just stomp some more til you can't stomp no more!

 

[sissy]

invite neighbors over for an old fashioned stomping :razz:

 

[Mmathis]

LOL, ROTLF! So general consensus is: don't waste my time or $$ renting a "rammer," or "vibratory plate.". Those names just sound so, so wicked. Will tell hubby & son that it's back to the tampers & footwork! (I could see inviting our neighbors over...not. They already think I'm strange).

 

[j.w]

Wicked might not be the correct term..............they sound rather pornographic to me

 

[Mmathis]

JW -- I agree, just couldn't bring myself to say it. Thanks for taking the words out of my mouth

 

[taherrmann4]

JW your mind is in the gutter once again.

 

[j.w]

Yes and you followed right in behind me tmann

 

[fishin4cars]

don't waste your money. You do want to get as much packing as possible but walking and working on it should be fine. IF you do settle it's not hard at all to lift the liner a little throw a little extra dirt underneath to build up later. that's a lot easier and cheaper than renting some equipment that may actually still have the exact same effect afterwards as well. Good luck on you liner install. You know we are going to want to see plenty of pics!

 

[Mmathis]

Thanks, Larkin! Told hubby I thought "manual" was the way to go. I quote you guys a lot, esp. when hubby decides he wants to go high-tech and rent something! I worked a little more on my rock shelves today. Tomorrow, going to look at some rocks. Will let son, 16, tamp the berms Found a supplier for rocks close by, but don't know their pricing. For now, think we're just going to get enough to hold down the liner, then add-on as we go. Looking for an electrician to do the GFIC box -- one of our Scout parents is a contractor & he's given us a couple of names. Have a pump chosen and am prepping hubby for helping with the filter. So, it's going to be A POND real soon!

There was an inch or so of standing water in the deepest part (the dirt daubbers are in heaven!), so I put one of the turtles in and threw in a few worms for her to eat. She seemed to enjoy the water as well as her meal. Wasn't at all intimidated by the larger-than-usual expanse of the wet stuff. Way to go, Alphie girl!

 

[j.w]

Can't wait to see some more pix and see the liner in place and wow rocks............I'm getting excited!
Your turtles are lucky to have such a nice mom like you to give them such a wonderful place to play